Me,Myself and I

My Two Year old Nephew

2008-02-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

Took some pictures of my Two Year old nephew a couple of weeks ago. These pictures just prove I have a lot of leaning to do. Too many shadows.

A few more of my Beautiful Belly Dancing friends

2008-02-29T09:52:00.001-08:00

I have taken a few pictures this weekend

2008-02-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share with my fans..hehehe

This is Civia. She is an awesome dancer. Well, they all are in fact. She is also a wonderful teacher.

These are the Aalim Starz. They are a Belly Dancing troop in Oklahoma. Someday I may be as good as them...It could happen.

This is Nahlah. Does she not have the prettiest smile. She is also an amazing dancer and friend.

Toto, I just saw a cactus. I don't think we are in Oklahoma any more.

2008-02-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

Another view on Route 66

My Very Own Febuary Contest

2008-02-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

I always wonder if ANYONE ever looks at my blog. Well, I know that my blog is mostly for my enjoyment but it is nice to know if any one else is out there and what they think.

So, here is my contest. Every time you make a comment you are entered into my drawing. At the end of the month I will put all the names into a hat and one of the girls will pull out a name. That lucky person will get an 11x14 print of one of their favorite photos that I have taken.

So, for all you lurkers, start commenting, make me feel loved and make yourself a winner.

**Negative comments are welcome if they are constructive.

Todays Route 66 memories

2008-02-01T09:32:00.001-08:00

Oh the strange things we saw on Route 66

2008-01-30T10:05:00.000-08:00

Mother Road ,Father Bridge

2008-01-28T08:04:00.001-08:00

The Mother Road led us through Eastern Oklahoma on a beautiful Sunday morning. We had a lovely clear blue sky with the sun low in the January sky. We came across this short bridge that marked one of the rivers along the way.
Bridges are like God and good friends. They get us across the impassable times.
And they share in our bumps and bruises.

As the road moves on

2008-01-22T07:51:00.001-08:00

As we moved on down the road we ran across an old abandoned brick building which forced me to turn my little car around to check it out. There was a plaque on the building that claimed that it was originally a gas station. The station had no electricity and was heated by small fire place in the rear of the building.

Further on down the road we ran into the infamous Rock Cafe. We stopped in for some lunch which was quite tasty and I look forward to returning in the near future so I can capture some photos of the inside.

East on Route 66

2008-01-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday I climbed into the car with my good friend Gerald and we drove up Route 66 until we almost hit the Oklahoma Kansas border. We had a great time scanning the country side for anything interesting to photograph. We started on the East side of Edmond and headed North East to Tulsa. Over the next couple of weeks I will share many of the photos that I took on our little adventure.

Our first stop was the Famous Round Red Barn of Arcadia, Oklahoma. Now, this barn has been photographed a million and one times and I think it is very hard to photograph nicely. The highway is right on the edge of the property with modern power lines all over but for some odd reason...maybe because it was Sunday morning...the fabulous light gods were with me and my camera captured this wonderful photograph. I personally feel that this is the best shot I have ever gotten of the barn and I have tried several time... which only proves the old saying "Try, try again"

We then wandered around the property which has a lovely collection of old rusted farm equipment. I love the color of rust apparently because I just love this photo. I know nothing about farm equipment but I think it belonged to an old plow.

Too many Hobbies?????

2008-01-15T05:40:00.001-08:00

It has been brought to my attention in the past that I just might have too many hobbies. They suggested that I might want to give something up so I could really concentrate at being really good at one or two of them. But how does one chose? I DONT!

First came the camera. Now, it did not start out as sophisticated but I always have had a love of good photography. I think it started with some of the lovely pictures my Dad took when I was a kid and just grew from there. Photography frustrates the heck out of me but I can not let this one go because it is challenging and I NEED to get it right. This one is staying.

Then came scrapbooks thanks to a dear dear friend. I had to do something with all the pictures I was taking. Well, it has turned into simple family memory books but good heavens, when you have 3 books that you are making at the same time ( one for me and one for each daughter..thank goodness we stopped with 2 kids ) it takes some time. Nope, can't give this one up. Family history is at stake.

Running, Jogging, walking....1/2 Marathon training. It is all fun and hard and sore but I love it. It gets me out of the house, breathing hard. It is good to feel every part of your body working. It is good to push yourself. It is good to feel it tomorrow. Nope, this one is not going anywhere either. Good health is at risk if I did.
BellyDancing....what am I thinking? Can I really make my body move that way? Am I coordinated at all? Well, not really but it sure it fun. I really do not practice at all during the week but class sure is fun. I always walk out feeling happy and like I can do anything. I may not be a SuperStar any time soon but I can't and should not quite this one either. This one if for pure mental sanity.

Hobbies for me are my way of keeping my mind active and busy. I enjoy each one and each one lets me express myself in different ways. I will share more thoughts on how in later installments.

Why do they grow up so fast?

2008-01-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

Six years ago I was holding a sweet little new born in my arms. She was so tiny. Not any tinier than any of the other babies but still small. I wanted to hold you all the time so it was a good thing that you liked being held.

Look at you now...SIX!!!! You dress yourself every day with out being told, you get food out of the cabinet when you want a snack, you can write and you can read and boy, oh boy can you draw.

Happy Birthday Katie. I pray that this year is full of blessings!!!!!

2008 Goals...It is still January...I am not too late.

2008-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would make my goals public so that all of my good friends could harass me if I slack off. Most of my goals are not major but could be life changing and life improving if I really work at them.

1. I am going to keep running..or jogging, what ever you call it. I want to run at least 10 miles a week and participate in at least one race per month. I will run a 1/2 marathon in the spring.

2. I would like to keep my healthy eating habits that I learned in Weight Watchers with out going to the meetings. I also would like to help the girls be healthy eaters for a life time so they do not turn into an extremist like I can be when it comes to food.

3. I need to become more organized at home so I can venture out, take classes, go to work, something and not feel overwhelmed with mess when I return.

4. I would like to be more of a people person, stay connected with the world instead of locked away in my little house so much.

5. When I commit myself to something I need to do it with a happy heart. 110%,Every thing is more fun that way.

6. And most importantly, I need to get and stay better connected with God. I need to remember something that was written in Psalms..." The Lord Said " I will make you wise, I will show you where to go. I will guild you and watch over you." and I need to live by his will and just let go. I know it will all fall into place if I just follow his plan.

Ok, there you go. 6 things that are written out for the world to see. Most of these things are internally but you can bug me about them if you want.

So, what do you want to do in 2008?

Blogging and Why we do it.

2008-01-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

Today while I was working out I was thinking. I pretty much do my best thinking while I am working out because I am not talking and I am doing the same thing over and over.

Ok, back to the subject at hand, Blogging. Why have we all turned into bloggers? Why do want to share our lives and thoughts with every one? Why to we want to share our thoughts with strangers? Why can we find time to sit and type a story on the computer but we do not have time to call a friend and talk? I really do not have the answer to any of these questions.

Why do I blog? I blog because I want to connect with my family. I blog to help keep track of when things happen. I blog to bring out a creative side. I blog because I think too much.

Have a great day!!!

My Beautiful girls on a Beautiful day.

2007-12-30T16:00:00.000-08:00

My Old Old Puppy

2007-12-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

I have started reading a blog called "Confessions of a Pioneer Woman" daily. She takes wonderful photographs and is just so darn witty. Today she took pictures of her sleeping puppy so I thought I would take pics of my not so puppish puppy. He is 12 years old so when I pull out the camera he just humors me.

I have things totally under control here.

It has been a long day. Time to ponder.

Christmas Memories

2007-12-28T13:03:00.001-08:00

Just few of my favorite moments and photos.

Reflecttions in a Snow Globe

2007-12-21T18:07:00.000-08:00

Since Christmas is right around the corner I thought I would share one of the sites I keep seeing. Next to my tree is our piano ( which no one know how to play, how sad ) which holds many family photos and a few knick knacks. One of my prized knacks is a snow globe Katie hand picked for me a couple of years ago. In this snow globe you can see a beautiful lights display that was never intended.

The Up Hill Battle

2007-12-20T13:26:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago Larry and I decided that I could take some courses at UCO. I am looking at their Photographic Art Program. Well, this is just to prove that some times you have to work hard to just get started. Snow and Ice prevented me from driving to Oklahoma Christian to get my transcript, so I requested them by mail and that was just slow. I finally get them a week later, turn in my paper work at UCO and find out I need my shot records. OK folks, I am 38 years old. 38 year old women have their children's records handy and maybe even their husbands if he traveled to a 3rs world country but not her own. So, after calling her Dr, her mother and her old University I need to wait till the 2nd of January to even see if a copy of them exist. If not, I will have to have to have blood work done and new shots given.

What I am having to do to improve myself.Yikes.

A snowy Winter Day

2007-12-17T06:28:00.000-08:00

What fun was had when the snow came out of the sky on Saturday. The girls bundled up, me following with the camera and down our short little hill they went.

Down Hill High!!!!

Watch out....Fence!!!

I am Dog! I have Ball! Life is Goooood!!!

A little Summer caught up in Winter.

A Day in my Life

2007-12-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today I did something different. I picked up my camera and I took pictures of "stuff" that I was involved in. My life is not glamorous by any means but it keeps me our of the stores spending money.

I Did It!!! I Did It!!!! Why?????

2007-11-19T09:07:00.001-08:00

Well, I did it. I finished my first 1/2 Marathon. 13.1 miles!!!!! What on earth was I thinking? Well, I think I know what I was thinking...Why not? If I can do it...do it. It feels good now that it is over and I can still walk. I know I did not over do myself, so all is good.

My Running Buddy Laura was a great encouragement the whole time. I kept running because she was running and that made it so much better. She also was a great chearleader." 4 miles gone, now it it is just a jont around Lake Hefner ( that is our 9.1 miles corse we trained on )" Only 5 miles left! That is a run around the park" and so on. She was the best!!!

Wondering how long it took? 2 hours, 29 minutes and 47 seconds. Our initial goal was 3 hours...then I had dilutions of grandeur half way through and thought 2 hours. Well, when that did not happen under 2 and a half was going to make us happy and boy did we push it a little there at the end when we saw it was a possibility.

Well, thanks to all my well wishers and I will start working on my next 1/2 marathon...OKC Memorial Marathon in the spring.

Summer is here. What have I been up to?

2007-06-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

To all my family and friends, I am happy you have chosen to stop by and say hello. I have been having a fun spring. Larry and I went to Jamacia for a week. We a had a fun time with our new friends and had a great time visiting the jungle. Here are a few pictures of us.

We have also been running. Larry and I continue to run in little 5 and 10 K races. June 1st was the 1st in a summer time race series we are participating in. All of this is to help keep us motivated and working. We are going to run a half marathon in the Fall that is in Tulsa. here is a photo of me and 2 of of my running/dance sisters.

And then on June 2nd I participated in my First real Art Festival. I had a tent and every thing.

Dance of the Orient

2007-04-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

After months and months of practice we finally performed out Spring Showcase. I can truthfully tell you that I worked really hard to get these dances down perfect and I think I did a pretty good job. (At least Larry says I did them pretty well) Here are a few pics. Larry was afraid to use the flash so if they look a little out of focus you will understand why. BTW, if you are wondering which Princess is me, I am in the RED.

The Redbud Classic and the 10 K Race!!!!!

2007-04-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

I suppose you can call it a race. I did want to finish in an hour. Close enough, One Hour, three minutes, and some seconds. It was a very interesting experience. I will do this again and I am not afraid any longer. It was funny. Every single person you ran across was nice and friendly. No one was rude or ugly toward anyone. Every one was encouraging and up beat. It was really nice to be around these kind of people. All 2000 of them ( may of been more )In 2 weeks we ( Larry and I and some other friends ) will be participating in the Memorial Marathon Relay. Wish us luck!!!!!

Adventures on a Saturday

2007-04-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we found time to do amazing things. Thanks to my sister Lynne and a sleep over party both the girls were away Saturday morning. Larry and I rose early and ran our first ever road race. It was called "Run the Boulivard" and was hosted by one of the neighborhood PTA's. It was a 5K (3.2 miles) and we made pretty good time. I ran the race in 31 minutes (and some seconds) which put me at 5th place in my age bracket. Larry ran the race in 29minutes (and something) and he was 3rd in his race. We were both rather impressed with ourselves considering we had only been seriously do thing for a week.

After Lunch we rounded up all the kids and headed for Norman to the Mevelil Fair. The Belly dancing school was performing and I was all gun ho about it. I had 2 danced nailed!!!!! Practiced for probably 4 hours the day before. I was ready. The first one was "Monna". Went over very well. Other than me needing to keep my mouth closed and smile more I did great. The second dance, well, I don't really want to discuss. Music skipped, no one knew where we were, disaster. Needless to say, I am over it finally and am ready to move on.

By the time we made it home that night I was beat!!!! Pretty much the only thing I was good for was sleep and that is what I did. Well, there you go, my day.

New Challanges

2007-03-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

This weekend Larry and I decided to join a relay race. My leg of the race is 10K and his leg is 12K. Training has begun. We have deiced to try a practice Race this Saturday that is 5K. We will see how this week goes and if we survive. Wish us luck.

Life has just gotten away from me.

2007-03-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

I have not posted any personal updates in a very long time and I am sorry about that. I guess I was in a funk for a while but spring is in the air and things are looking brighter. Lately I have been working on a new photography project. Please check out my new blog...A Photo A Day. My goal is not to make 365 wonderful photographs but to encourage myself to photograph more and to get into the practice of editing every day. I have only done this for one week and forget to post on Saturday but did photograph on Saturday.I also posted 2 pictures on Sunday to make up.

I have also continued with the Belly Dancing Lessons. It is getting a little stressful for me because festivals are starting and concert is in 4 weeks. Not sure if I will be ready. I will have my first costume soon and will share photos.

Another of my accomplishments since the first of the years is that I have lost 13 plus pounds ( depending on which scale I am on ). I joined weight watchers with the goal of loosing the customary 10% of my start weight, which would put me in a healthy weight bracket with a little bit of wiggle room. I have accomplished this goal and need to maintain for at least 6 weeks and will become a lifer. I know I can do it with a little common sense, will power, and exercise.

Other little things include painting the hallway, which is a pain because all the woodwork and doors needs to be painted ( I need to pain them all twice so hopefully by the end of the week I will be done ). The girls are not that hard to keep up with. Erin has started Softball and I will share pictures there soon. Katie just loves friends so we just play a lot.

I will try and share my life a little more often. Not really sure if anyone really reads this thing but it is good for me to recap accomplishments every now and again so I can see that I am not just a silly old lump on a log doing nothing.

Car Parts

2006-10-03T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hips Don't Lie

2006-09-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

Out Night out with the Family

Erin balancing sward on her head and moving her hips to boot.

Katie showing us her dance moves. Just a little ballet.

Giving it some attitude.

"Mom. Don't move! There is a sward on your head!"

Erin given it all she's got.Oh, and "work it Mark!!!!"

Beauty in its own way

2006-09-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

NOT ANOTHER DOG!!!!!

2006-09-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

I need another dog like I need a whole in my head!!!! We found Dog Sunday night and we are now trying to find a home for her. She is very sweet and would really like to be someone's lap dog. You know you want her. Hehehehe

What in Nature calls Me?

2006-08-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

There are two things that come to mind when I think of the beauty of nature. I love flowers and vast open scenes. God is in all that we see around us but I really see what he is when I look at flowers. I get so disappointed every time I take a photograph of a flower. I can never really capture what my heart feels when I look at them. At their detail, their gentleness, their beautiful colors. I wonder how he could of come up with so many different varieties and still have time for every thing else he has given us.

I also feel all inspired by his glory when I see a beautiful scene. The whole big picture yet I can only see a fraction. It is just one of those "AHHHH" moments in life when I realize how much I rely on and need Him.

Reflections

2006-08-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

This week one of the Just4Keeps photo challenges is reflections. Last summer I photographed this antique store window in Navarre Ohio. I am thinking that Past or Present would make a good title. For just a moment I think I am going to reflect on this....Past or Present. I feel that I spend way too much time focusing on the past. What is with that anyway? I will think about what I did in high school and wish I could change it. I will worry about the conversation I had with the lady at Church last Sunday and worry that I offended in some way. I can't take it back. I need to focus more of my attention on what is going on right now. How I can help make the world (or my world) better in some way. How I can help my children grow. And how I can grow to be closer and more in tune with God.

I used my camera again!!!!!

2006-08-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

I pulled out all the stops this time! Jaxon spent the night with us last weekend and Lynne wanted me to take some photos of him because he turned 6 months. Jaxon and I had fun. Check him out!He is such a cutie!

Fun in the Sun on a Sunday

2006-07-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

Katie is a swimming pool monkey. She loves swimming with her face in the water and wants dad to flip her all the time.
Aunt Lynne and Cousin Jaxon

Uncle Mark throwing a water ball at me.

Look at Erin's face. Have you ever seen an honorary child!!!!

Good friends Brandon and Lori trying to catch some rays.

What I want to be when I grow up.

2006-07-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl the answer to that question was simple. I was going to be a MaMa. As I grew older it changed from Mother to Teacher. It was the natural choice for me. I did become a teacher and I did enjoy it for the most part. I then got to be my first choice, A MOM, and I would have to say it is a wonderful job to have.

My Erin is 7, 8 in September and Katie is now 4. They are both growing up so fast I can hardly stand it. On the other hand, the fact that they are getting older is opening up many doors. I have more time and they are more flexible so I can try new things. As you have seen I love to take photographs and slowly I have gotten more into it. I have also just recently started taking Belly Dancing Lessons and so I can help Erin with her Drum lessons I practice her lesson and find it quite fun.

So, what do I want to be when I grow up? A Dancing Drum Photographer or a Dancing Mom Photographer or a Photographing Drum Mom. My options are endless. We will all have to wait and see.

Before I close I would like to say that I will always be a Mom 1st because it pays the best!!!!!!!

Fallow through

2006-06-23T06:59:00.001-07:00

If I were to pick one thing that bugs me most about myself it is my lack of fallow through. I have memories of started a lot of things but getting frustrated or bored and leaving them in the box. Well, at 36 I have decided it is time to get it together and fallow through on some stuff. This past school year I made a goal to read through the entire book of Genesis. Check, that is done so now I am reading though my "Life with Jesus" devotion Bible. (Wish me luck) I also picked up the piano again. (Ok, not literally picked it up. It is a player and it really heavy.) Right now my goal is to get though this lesson book by the end of the year. At Christmas maybe I can perform something. Well,I guess I need to get to it.

Faith? What is it? Do I have it?

2006-06-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Faith is what we believe. So, what is that to me. I am kind of funny I guess. Deep down I have faith that God is with me always. He sent his Son for me because I was really going to need him. My only problem is that I waver off the path every now and again, go my own way and kind of get lost However, my faith always brings me back to what is important. To me, in a nut shell, Faith is simply knowing that someone else (GOD!) is in charge of my life, my destiny, and that I trust him completely to get me to the end.

Photo contests

2006-06-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

At OKConnections.com we have a monthly photo contest. It is fun and quite entertaining at time. If you like photography it is a nice place to visit. This month the theme is Urban Life. Thought I would share a couple of my shots that I have entered.